Investigation and inquest
On 9th July 2019, I commenced an investigation into the death of Elaine Renshaw. The investigation concluded on the 6th January 2020 and the conclusion was one of Accidental Death. The medical cause of death was 1a) Myocardial infarction, on a background of drug toxicity.
Circumstances of the death
Elaine Rose Renshaw worked at a care home and was found unresponsive at her home address. She was resuscitated by paramedics and taken to Tameside General Hospital. At Tameside General Hospital attempts to reverse the effects of morphine continued. They were unsuccessful and she continued to deteriorate. On 8th July 2019, she died at Tameside General Hospital.
The care home where she worked identified that checks on controlled drugs had not been accurate and controlled drugs had been incorrectly accounted for.
Blood samples taken by the hospital were analysed. The concentration of total morphine (that is morphine itself and morphine metabolites) in her blood sample was within the range encountered in individuals receiving morphine chronically (e.g. for palliative care). However, it was equally within the range encountered in fatalities associated with use of morphine even in chronic and therefore tolerant users.
Coroner’s concerns
During the course of the inquest evidence was given that controlled drug checks processes had been such that it was not easily identified that drugs were not accounted for e.g. Stock sheets were inaccurate. The home in question had tightened up its processes since the incident. However the inquest heard that this issue may well arise in the future in other care/nursing home settings as there is no clear process for handling/recording the use of controlled drugs.